PREM Rugby Predictions – 2026-27
The newest season of the Gallagher PREM looks to be the most competitive one yet. With Newcastle Red Bulls gaining momentum from an almost entirely new team, mid-level teams making top-tier signings, and elite sides being somewhat depowered, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to expect the end-of-season table to look completely different to seasons past. Based on how improved or weakened each side has become, on top of other factors, I’ve tried to predict how I think the season will go.
10th: Newcastle Red Bulls
Newcastle are likely to be much stronger than last season. Gone are the relative whipping boys of the PREM to be replaced with a team built around fast, free-flowing rugby. They have acquired one of the best backlines in the league, with Chris Harris, Josh Hodge, Raffi Quirke, Werner Kok, and Fehi Fineanganofo (maybe). With their relatively strong forward pack helping them out, they should be a force capable of pressuring the PREM’s elite sides at home. Then again, while Red Bull’s disruption factor is likely to create problems, that same disruption creates an obvious problem; this is their first season together, against sides that regularly go far into Europe and have their own international-quality strengths. This lack of cohesion leaves them somewhere near the bottom; the safest bet for the new team’s placement being last.
9th: Harlequins
Quins aren’t beating Newcastle by much, but their more subtle improvements give them the edge. While their player signings are limited primarily to George Furbank and some front-row reinforcements, their backroom staff looks to be the real deal and is equipped to get the team playing their speedy style of rugby. Marcus Smith and George Furbank are also two of the league’s strongest players already, so they have a strong foundation to build from. Still, their lack of depth and consistency might be their downfall; they have no clear replacement for Smith at 10, hurting their value when international duty becomes a factor, and with how many teams found them out last year, massive improvements aren’t likely enough to bring them off the floor.
8th: Bristol Bears
At their best, Bristol are a very strong side. They have one of the strongest attacks in the league, able to score with ball-in-hand from just about anywhere on the field. Compared to the two sides beneath them, they’re far more likely to make playoffs given their more consistent win record against top sides, even if most of them come at Ashton Gate. There’s a key issue being omitted, however; Bristol are one of the strongest teams at full strength, and their injury problems and weak depth always hold them back when their top-tier personnel depletes. Players like Gabriel Oghre, Louis Rees-Zammit, and Kalaveti Ravouvou can rack up a lot of tries, but with key man Benhard Janse van Rensburg looking to be a part of the England setup, and a lot of experienced or mid-level options dropping out in between seasons, that lack of depth will only carry them so far. They looked to be petering out by the end of last season, and it’s possible we see a regression unless they can improve the more pragmatic side of their game.
7th: Gloucester
Gloucester are rarely too strong, and the loss of their best player to Saracens isn’t going to add confidence to a side that rarely has much. Still, they’re only behind Sale and Newcastle for impressive signings. Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake bring world-class defensive work and should help bolster Gloucester’s fundamentals, while Dan Robson’s experience in France should help keep their attack working. They’ll need to shy away from the free-flowing style they’ve attempted to play in recent seasons, as their backline just isn’t up to the standard of Bristol or Northampton, but otherwise this pack could carry them far in phase play. Compared to the higher-ranked sides, though, Gloucester aren’t a fully-realised team. They’ve spent the past few years trying to find a playstyle that works, and have lost a lot of quality talent in the process.
6th: Leicester Tigers
From here, there’s a big jump in quality; I expect everyone from here on to be winning over half their games. Leicester look like the weak link, though; they’ve lost a lot of power and leadership, which should hamper their setpiece slightly. While still a well-balanced side, and the addition of Aaron Wainwright is a big boost to their carrying game, this is the second season in a row where they’ve generally lost more than they’ve gained. I expected them to land in a similar position last season, which didn’t materialise thanks to some players upping their game, but compared to the overall strengths of the teams above them, they’re the most likely to miss playoffs. They’re just a little too balanced; no clear weaknesses, but few overwhelming strengths.
5th: Exeter
A very close call between 5th and 4th, but Exeter just miss out. They should be slightly weaker than last season with Scott Sio and Len Ikitau’s departures, and while they’ve compensated for them well, bare in mind they only narrowly made playoffs last year, and were also fairly lucky to edge ahead of Bath. Not to downplay them, though; Exeter’s brute force approach will push even the strongest sides in the league, while Henry Slade and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso are two of the competition’s strongest players. They don’t quite have the same depth across the board as the other teams, though, and with some concerning injuries already in pre-season, they might be pushed too far to replicate the success of last season.
4th: Sale Sharks
The second most improved side after Newcastle, which is doubly interesting since Sale were already strong despite their mediocre performance last year. Their reinforcements in the front row should give them an incredibly powerful scrum, and they’ve got the depth to back it up. Courtney Lawes is also a formidable presence wherever he plays, giving the pack an additional edge. However, Sale aren’t limited to physical domination; they now have enough pace and depth out wide to blitz teams who can manage their physicality, which should be a huge boost from last year where numbers ran short. While they’ll need to get accustomed to each other’s playstyles quickly, this feels like a team with multiple options to win games, and if Sanderson can manage them correctly, playoffs should be a realistic goal.
3rd: Bath
Bath won the league as the undisputed strongest, got even stronger thanks to some world-class signings last year, and then dropped the ball in the semis. Now, without du Toit and Barbeary, some kind of drop off might be expected, although they remain a well-balanced team. The return of Will Stuart is well-timed, with how many teams have bolstered their scrums, and their backs remain lethal at the finish. Compared to the remaining two sides, they have slightly fewer international commitments, but injuries seem to be a recurring issue for Bath, so their personnel might be tested regardless. Provided they can get the most of their backs, they shouldn’t have any trouble making playoffs, though their over reliance on power has held them back before.
2nd: Saracens
Saracens have been perpetual underachievers, having missed the playoffs two years in a row despite their high-quality players. With an aging first-team, they risk falling behind, but their breakthrough youngsters from last year and their excellent new signings should help. Barbeary and Martin provide exceptional power to what is a relatively lightweight pack, while Tomos Williams is one of the league’s best attacking organisers. Provided they can find a playstyle that takes advantage of their elite strengths, playoffs should be a given, though they’ve fallen flat before. They showed serious potential in parts last season, with some dominant performances, so if they can maintain consistency, they could be a real force to be reckoned with.
1st: Northampton Saints
Northampton are technically weaker than last season, given they’ve lost depth in key areas and are nowhere near the same team without their England internationals. That’s not likely to phase them much, though; they have some of the best players in the league across the board, and their fast-paced playstyle takes full advantage of that. With everyone fit, they shouldn’t have much problem reaching the top of the league and a home semi-final, though bolstering the power of their second-squad couldn’t hurt given their weak showings in pre-season. With an unmatched attack and the capability to make the most of it, another season at the top of the leagues is to be expected.
Playoff Run:
SEMIS
Northampton vs Sale: This could be interesting, but Northampton are right now where Sale will aim to be in a year or two. Their elite players have more synergy, so as long as they hold off Sale’s pack, this should be their win.
Saracens vs Bath: Another close call, as Europe last year proved. Sarries are improved while Bath are waning somewhat, though the difference between the Scottish fly-halves might decide it. Bath are generally more accustomed to success, and should know by this point how to make use of their best players, compared to the Sarries’ growing reliance on less experienced options.
FINALS
Northampton vs Bath: Weird that this is the first meeting of these teams in the playoffs in three years. Should be an even match, with neither side at their league-winning peak, but both with quality across the board. Ultimately, it could come down to attack power, and Northampton just have a lot more to throw at Bath than vice-versa.
Champions: Northampton Saints
Miscellaneous Predictions:
Player of the Season: Fin Smith. Has been fairly unlucky not to win it yet, given how crucial he is to Northampton’s success, but putting down George Ford and Finn Russell on the road to the final should seal the deal.
Top Try Scorer: Immanuel Feyi-Waboso. A poor injury record might hold him back somewhat, but Feyi-Waboso is just too hard to stop from scoring. Exeter will be more used to winning games this year, so the boosted confidence will lead to more tries, many of which should be his.
Signing of the Season: Dewi Lake. All of the Welsh signings could push for a spot, bias aside, but Lake is the kind of player who defines what Gloucester need if they are to push into the top half of the league; pure grit, defensive brilliance, and overwhelming power. Gaining captaincy before he’s played a match is a sign of the kind of impact he has on a team.
Coach of the Season: Phil Dowson. Not much to say here; two back-to-back finals and championships should make it a no-brainer minus any breakthroughs.
Breakthrough Player: Kepu Tuipulotu. Both England and Bath are a bit behind in terms of hookers, and Tom Dunn isn’t getting any younger. Kepu’s physicality and dynamism makes him a unique player who could be fun to watch while providing setpiece stability, and should be pushing for international honours if all goes well.
